Former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has been granted permanent residency in the United States, his lawyers said on Tuesday.
According to the statement, the decision was delivered on Monday during proceedings in which a US immigration court examined issues surrounding the criminal investigations and charges currently facing the former minister in Ghana.
“The court heard evidence relating to actions taken by Ghana’s Office of Special Prosecutor, including the OSP’s earlier decision to declare Mr. Ofori-Atta a fugitive of justice at a time he was reportedly undergoing medical treatment in the United States,” parts of the statement read.
Mr Ofori-Atta remains a subject of criminal charges in Ghana following corruption-related charges filed by the Office of Special Prosecutor in November last year. Authorities have tried to get the former minister to be extradited to Ghana to face charges.
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On the new development regarding Mr. Ofori-Atta’s US residency, the OSP said it does not clear him of the extraditon process.
“The OSP states that the extradition packet is not before the immigration court; and the credibility or otherwise of the criminal charges against Mr. Ofori-Atta would be determined by the courts in Ghana, who have jurisdiction to determine his guilt or innocence.
“Further, Mr. Ofori-Atta still remains a citizen of Ghana and he is still amenable to be extradited to Ghana if so decided by the extradition court in the United States.”